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PATIENT STORY

A 23-year-old man was seen for difficult-to-control hypertension. On initial presentation he had a blood pressure (BP) of 160/90 mm Hg. Despite initiation of multiple antihypertensive medications including hydrochlorothiazide and lisinopril, the patient remained hypertensive with systolic BP of greater than 140 mm Hg. The patient was asymptomatic but reported a lifelong murmur. Physical examination revealed a right upper extremity BP of 146/82 mm Hg. Cardiovascular examination was significant for a grade II/VI systolic ejection murmur and a posterior systolic murmur in the left infrascapular region. Lower extremity pulses were diminished. A transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated a bicuspid aortic valve, mild aortic dilation, and flow acceleration across the aortic isthmus.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

The incidence of CoA is approximately 0.3 per 1000 live births2, 3 and accounts for approximately 5% to 8% of congenital heart disease making it the eighth most common congenital heart defect.4, 5

CoA, like other forms of left-sided heart obstruction, is more common in males than females.4

While CoA can be isolated, it often coexists with other forms of heart disease: Of patients with simple CoA, 42% have a patent ductus arteriosus. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with CoA have bicommissural aortic valve (BAV). Approximately 10% have an intracranial aneurysm.6, 7

CoA often coexists with other forms of left heart obstruction including mitral stenosis, subaortic stenosis, and aortic stenosis. In addition, CoA is associated with atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, and complex congenital heart disease (eg, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, atrioventricular canal defect, transposition of the great arteries).3

ETIOLOGY

There is a compelling evidence for a genetic contribution to CoA.11, 12, 13, 14 CoA is more common in the children of women with CoA.15 The genetics is not simple, however, while NOTCH1 mutations have been described in patients with CoA, this mutation is absent in most patients.16 Linkage analysis has identified multiple candidate genes17 although progress has been hindered by the relative rarity of the disorder and phenotypic variability. As CoA often coexists with other forms of left heart obstruction, as described above, some have speculated whether CoA, BAV, and other ...